Medical Assistant Schools & Programs in North Carolina

Have you been wondering about pursuing a career in medical assisting? If so, there are variety of programs available in North Carolina —including certificates, diplomas and degree programs.

While working as a medical assistant, you may collect blood and tissue specimens, log the specimens, and prepare them for testing, along with answering phones, recording patient information, and scheduling appointments. Before we get into education information for medical assistants in North Carolina, we thought you’d be interested to learn some general education information about the state...

North Carolina General Education Information and Data[vii]

There are 74 four-year institutions in North Carolina, which surpasses the national average of 56

There are 65 two-year institutions—almost twice as many as the national average of 33!

The national average for total male fall enrollment is 171,951, while North Carolina is higher at 232,537

Similarly, female fall enrollment in North Carolina is 336,328, while the national average is only 228,592

F.A.Q.'s for Medical Assistants in North Carolina

What are the medical assisting job and earning statistics from North Carolina?

There are currently 13,890 medical assistants employed in North Carolina.[i]

There are 18,780 projected jobs by 2022, which is a 32% increase and approximately 730 annual job openings.[ii]

The annual mean 10th percentile wage for medical assistants in North Carolina is $21,670.[i]

The hourly mean 10th percentile wage is $14.13[i]

Where do medical assistants work?

Medical assistants usually work in physician's offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They perform administrative and clinical tasks that involve working with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Did you know North Carolina boasts several hospitals ranked by U.S. News and World Report? The Duke University Hospital is even ranked nationally in 12 specialties, including #6 and #7 for cardiology & heart surgery and pulmonology, respectively.

Top 5 Regionally Ranked Hospitals in North Carolina:

Duke University Hospital

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center

University of North Carolina Hospitals

Carolinas Medical Center

Mission Hospital

What salary information is available for specific metro areas of North Carolina?

The highest (90th%) and lowest (10th%) annual mean salary for medical assistants in each of these metro areas is as follows: [i]

Metro Area

Lowest 10th% Salary

Highest 90th% Salary

Asheville, NC

$23,690

$37,490

Burlington, NC

$20,990

$36,930

Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC

$21,780

$37,870

Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

$24,620

$40,980

Fayetteville, NC

$20,210

$32,840

Goldsboro, NC

$17,120

$33,560

Greensboro-High Point, NC

$22,640

$37,900

Greenville, NC

$19,510

$38,090

Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

$20,970

$36,920

Jacksonville, NC

$18,710

$37,440

Raleigh-Cary, NC

$21,710

$37,310

Rocky Mount, NC

$20,820

$36,280

Wilmington, NC

$24,720

$40,840

Winston-Salem, NC

$24,950

$37,520

What is the annual mean 10th percentile wage for other health related fields in North Carolina?

Medical Billing & Coding: $22,840[iii]

Pharmacy Technician: $18,780[iv]

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): $21,310[v]

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): $17,040[vi]

How do I earn a medical assistant certification in North Carolina?

While medical assistants are not required to be certified, many employers may prefer to hire someone who has earned a certification or degree in medical assisting. It is typical for medical assistants to pursue graduation from postsecondary education programs, and medical assisting programs in North Carolina are available from community colleges, vocational schools, technical schools, and universities. These programs usually lead to earning a certificate or diploma. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits five certifications for medical assistants.

Below are a few related fields that do require state licensure:

Nurse Aide[viii]: Requires licensure via the North Carolina Board of Nursing. To qualify for a license, you must pass state-approved Nurse Aide training and competency testing.

Emergency Medical Technician[ix]:Requires licensure through the NC Department of Health and Human Services Division of Facility Services Office of Emergency Medical Services. The rules governing licensing are in the EMS rules document in section: 10A NCAC 13) .0502 INITIAL CREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTS FOR MR, EMT, EMT-I, EMT-P and EMD. You can find a copy of this document online here: www.ncmes.org under the “Rules” link.

What medical assisting professional organizations are there in North Carolina?

Looking for a way to meet work contacts and keep on top of medical assisting news once you graduate? If so, you may want to seriously consider joining a professional medical assisting organization. The North Carolina State Society of Medical Assistants provides its members with job postings, event information, newsletters and other resources. You can find more information on their website at: http://www.ncsma.org/.

If you’ve made the decision to move forward with pursuing a medical assisting education, congratulations! Your next step is to take a look at the list of medical assistant schools in North Carolina below. While you may not be required to earn a medical assisting degree or certification, keep in mind that some employers may prefer to hire candidates who have completed a medical assisting program.